Southworth to Defend Title Against “Babalu”

Aug 13, 2008 1:23 PM John Chandler

Bobby Southworth. Photo by Jon Swenson.

Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and former “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Bobby Southworth will defend his title at Strikeforce’s upcoming event at the Playboy Mansion on September 20th against fellow UFC veteran Renato “Babalu” Sobral.

Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz officially announced the bout in a press released sent out to the media today. Additional participants confirmed by Afromowitz include Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista.

Southworth made his second consecutive defense of his Strikeforce title at the organization’s “Melendez vs. Thomson” event in June, winning a unanimous decision over Anthony Ruiz, who defeated Southworth by TKO due to a cut last November.

Sobral has been rumored to also be taking on former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” event in October, however Ortiz has yet to officially sign with the promotion. The popular Brazilian recently picked up a hard-fought unanimous decision over Mike Whitehead at Affliction’s debut show last month.

The promotion officially announced their second “Strikeforce at the Mansion” event last week, also confirming that former PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix runner-up Kazuo Misaki will make his Strikeforce debut against UFC veteran Joe Riggs in one of the night’s featured bouts.